Rocky Mountain College - Yellowstone / Poly Yearbook (Billings, MT)

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TRACK TEAM SPRING 1910. Athletics afgtfie Polytechnic HE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE was for- tunate indeed at its inception in securing as athletic instructor Prof. I-l. Huff, who had been a member of the American Olympic team that visited England and who was well known as an athlete. When Physical Director Huff made the first call in the fall for football players quite a number responded, but owing to lack of facil- ities and equipment it was deemed advisable to disband the squad. At the opening of the second term, however, several promising candi- dates entered school and now there seems to be abundant material for the gridiron next fall. Basketball drew the attention of the students after the disbanding of the football squad. Through the courtesy of the Y. M. C. A. offi- cials the students were granted the use of the gymnasium and a large number of the boys reported for practice. During the season the school lost but one game and that was to the famous Tripple B,s of Billings. Next year the team will have its own gymnasium and be con- tenders for the championship of the state. The track team this spring has had some promising candidates. A large number were out for daily practice. The season has been fine and some of the boys showed up fast in their respective feats. The Polytechnic has become a member of the Montana Intercollegiate Athletic Associa- tion and will compete ,in the annual meet to be held in Missoula in May. A fast baseball team has been organized this year and a short schedule arranged for. Next year there should be a fast team. The additional facilities assured for next year will give great opportunities for the ath- letes at the institute and it should push all other student institutions in Montana in I9l I. Basket Ball Team, Season 1909-1910.

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and women, with a thorough understanding of the technical arts, are needed to complete the work which is already begun by the older gen- eration, and to make ourselves capable to grapple with the mighty problems of the coun- try in which we live. We are here to develop our minds and train our hands, that we may make the most of our- selves and be of the greatest service to those about us. As young people, it is not expected that we should look entirely upon the serious side while here. We are here to enjoy ourselves while being trained for service. In later years we shall look back to the social life of the Polytechnicg our association with fellow-stu- dents and many true friendships formedg our athletic contests, and even our innocent school pranks, as the happiest times of our lives. The thoughts of our school life will continually return to us, and help to sweeten the bitter experiences, and smooth out the rough places which are certain to come into all our lives. We are here to enjoy ourselves along with work and study. We are here to make the most of our time and talents: to get as much profit and pleasure from our school days as we can, for the time will go by only too quickly, and we shall never pass this way again. BILLINCS IS THE LOCATION. Somewhere in eastern Montana there is sure to be a great educational institution. Un- doubtedly it will be the Polytechnic institute. With Billings as a center draw a circle the diameter of which will be more than 230 miles and within that circle there will not be found another institution of higher learning, with the exception of the state agricultural col- lege at Bozeman, IOO miles west. It was this fact that led the men behind the Billings Polytechnic Institute to decide to es- tablish the college at Billings. The field cov- ers territory in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming. Nebraska and the Dakotas. It caters to a district where live l,000,000 souls and where there is no other such institution. The first year of the school has been suc- cessful from every standpoint, though the finan- cial part has been hard. But last summer when the Professors Eaton were in the East they received assurances that after the school was once started endowments and financial as- sistance would be forthcoming. It is intended to raise a fund of 5l5l,000,000 to put the school on a firm basis. Parents looking for a good place to send their children, a place where they will have every attention and the most watchful care will do well to send them to the Polytechnic in- stitute. It is ideally situated, has a competent corps of instructors and is prepared to give the boy or girl that technical education to enable them to make their way well in life's struggle. Mrs. H. Yaliton. The Annual of I9l0 would be far from complete without mention being made of Mrs. Henry G. Valiton, the matron of the institute, superintendent of the dining room, house mis- tress of the girls' bungalow, physician to the sick, surgeon to the wounded, nurse of the convalescing and mother to us all. Seldom is it given to a person to hold as diflicult a position as that given to her. At any hour of the day or night she stands ready to administer to the needs of anyone who calls. She is untiring in her efforts to make things home-like and comfortable to the students. Without her the Polytechnic could not con- tinue a day. Here's to our mother, Mrs. Valiton, tender in her sympathies, kind in her discipline, patient with our thoughtlessness, and great hearted with us all.

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Hrsi May Day Celebration NE of the principal events of the school year at the Polytechnic in l9l0 was the observation of the May day, in which nearly all of the students participated. The celebra- tion as held this year was a revival of the old English custom of welcoming in the glad season of spring. The historical setting of this festival is in the early period of fuedal rule in England, when the bold outlaw Robin Hood and his rustic band of wood dwellers played such an important part. The customs of that time were carried out in one of the happiest and most beautiful festivals of the entire year. winter months the world the fragrance, color and During the long had been asleep to beauty of nature in her most charming garbs. awakened in bright sun- But May day she shine to the song of the birds among green for- ests and fields of sweet scented flowers. Every living object seemed happy and full of en- ergy, and naturally from a pure love of the beautiful should such events be commemorated. In the observation of such May time return- ing we bring boughs and flowers and erect a throne within a bowerg from the distance we hear the clear and winding notes of a bugle, heralds appear announcing the clearing the way for the royal party, who are seen coming toward the throne. It makes a beautiful sight, the May king and queen in the lead, followed by the little train bearers and flower girls, then the matron of honor, the ladies and gentlemen in waiting and behind them the Robin Hood band of robbers and cave dwellers. Upon ascend- ing the throne the matron of honor delivers a short address and then crowns the king. He then delivers an oration to his brave followers that instills patriotism into the hearts of all who hear him. He reviews the past and outlines his plans for the future. The sentiment ex- pressed throughout is one to encourage patriot- ism, chivilry and knight erantry. The king then crowns the queen. In her address to the faithful subjects, she appeals to the beautiful, the artistic and the finer senses. The May pole dance follows the address oi' the queen. This is one of the prettiest features of the celebration. The queen then announces that it is time for the sports. to begin. The heralds in turn announce each event and the victorious winners are presented to the queen who places a wreath of laurel on their heads. The sports are numerous and varied. The young ladies participate in such graceful and skillful games as archery, target shooting and grace hoops. A regular track meet and athletic program is caried on by the boys. With Miss Ruth Wheatley as the queen of the May and Elmer C. Adams as the king, this is the program as it was carried out this year, making one of the most gala days of the entire school year. -o Address of King and .Queen of the May of the Polytechnic Institute 54 N our weak way we wish to express our appreciation for the honors which have been recently heaped upon us. It is our earnest desire that we may ever have the good will of all, and may you never have occasion to regret the choice you have made. The mere words 'NVe thank you,' cannot begin to express our feelings for these highly honored positions you have placed us in. We assure you that our brief stay here has been a pleasant one. We realize the hardships and trials that the founders of this school have had to pass through, in order to give us this great pleasure, and we hope we may prove worthy of the efforts put forth in our behalf. To the students of this new institute we feel that we owe more than we can ever repay in words, but let us hope you may ever be loyal to the great cause,-education,-which has brought us together for the purpose of gaining the necessary knowledge for our future life. As rulers over the Polytechnic realm for a brief time, we, your chosen king and queen, ask for your loyal co-operation in making May Day the most pleasant event of the school year. Vffie pledge our best endeavors towards the welfare of our subjects, and shall strive to make this first reign a memorable one in the history of the Polytechnicf,